This stroller from my most favorite company isn't even out yet, but this mama is already drooling over it. I truly love our stroller (Britax B-Ready) but would love this for quick errands when I don't need as much storage space. A mom can dream right?

Liam can always use clothes too, but I did do some damage at Carter's this past weekend while we were in Maine.

Any other mamas have great first birthday present ideas for the little ones?

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Yeah people, it's been a month since I've posted. This whole raising a tiny human thing is awfully time consuming...

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Liam Michael you are

ELEVEN MONTHS OLD!

And clearly you are quite excited about that fact!

What a month it has been little stinker! It is mind-blowing that we are one month away from your first birthday!

What are your stats and what does the doctor say?

We haven't seen Dr. G. since your 9 month appointment in February, but I am guessing you are somewhere around 27 pounds at this point. You have definitely gotten taller since then as well. Things that were out of reach just a few weeks ago are suddenly being touched with those chubby little fingers. You have a full head of blond hair that gets a little curly when it gets wet. Those blue eyes appear to be sticking around (yet another trait you get from your Daddy).

What are you eating?

You are an eating machine and will try just about anything. You love fruitand gobble up any kind we give you. This month, we have added raspberries, chicken pot pie, corn, cereal, and oatmeal to your ever-growing list of foods. You are still having three 8-ounce bottles of Similac Advance a day and one 4-ounce bottle before bed. You eat three full meals every day and truly enjoy eating. You are still a water fiend and grab any cup with a straw in it.

When do you sleep and eat?

You have done much better this month with sleeping continuously through the night and Mommy and Daddy have really let you figure out how to self-soothe lately. You are getting better at finding your Taggies blanket or binkie during the night and that helps you fall back to sleep. Sometimes, you sit up in your crib but you usually fall back over within a few seconds and are sleeping again soon.

Your sleeping and eating schedule hasn't changed much this month. You typically wake up between 6:30 and 7:00 and have your first bottle of the day after a diaper change. You spend some time crawling and climbing while Mommy and Daddy finish getting ready for work. Your breakfast is usually around 8:30 and you are taking your first nap by9:30ish. We can't seem to get this nap to last more than 30-40 minutes in your crib. You have your second bottle between 10:30 and 11:00. Lunch is still around 12:15 and you play for a while before your next nap. This nap is usually longer and Nana is lucky if she gets an hour, often with half of the nap occurring in her arms. Your third bottle is between 3:00 and 3:30, depending on what time you wake up. We have dinner around 5:30 and you are in your crib by 7:15 every night, usually falling right asleep.

What do your routines look like?

No changes to your bedtime routine around here...we are not messing with success! Your bath happens around 6:45 and you love playing with your toys and splashing around. You change into jammies and have your little bottle after your bath. We read a story and sing a song before you go in your crib.

What size clothes and diapers are you wearing?

You are outgrowing just about everything we have around here (like Mommy needs an excuse to go shopping!). Your 12 month clothes are barely fitting (especially the pajamas), but you do still fit in some 12-18 month clothes. You are still wearing size 4 Pampers Cruisers during the day and we have switched to size 5 Pampers Extra Dry at night.

What are some things you love?

You are still loving to be in motion at all times. You move so quickly that it is hard to keep up! You will dance and bounce on your legs whenever music comes on. You love to look at (and eat!) books. Some of your favorites are Guess How Much I Love You?, Goodnight Moon, and Little Blue Truck. You love pushingbuttons and thoroughly enjoy grabbing everyone's phones at every chance you get. You like playing with the pillows on the couch and rolling around on Mommy and Daddy's bed. You still love your buddy, Max and never miss an opportunity to crawl all over him. You have a great time people watching, whether we are in a restaurant or out walking in your stroller. You love your binkie, especially when you are feeling tired or cranky.

What are some things you don't love?

You do not enjoy having your face wiped after you eat and are definitely not a fan when you don't get what you want. You don't like being put in time out when you are having trouble listening, which has been a common occurrence this month!

What can you do?

Oh we had some big moments this month, little buddy! A couple weeks ago, you started letting go of what you were holding onto to stand by yourself for short periods of time. Mommy, Daddy, and Nana knew taking steps wasn't far behind. Sure enough, within a couple of days, you started taking steps between the coffee table and the couch. We are up to 3 or 4 steps at a time, but it is mostly between two objects as opposed to out in the "open." You can clap your own hands together and are giving kisses and hugs all the time. You also managed to learn how to open doors.

What are you saying?

You are doing some repetition of sounds (baba, dada), but there doesn't seem to be much meaning behind them. You love to screech and scream and Mommy wonders whether you will ever talk or just yell!

How many teeth do you have?

You got your eighth tooth this month and now have four teeth on the top and four on the bottom. You love putting everything in your mouth and Mommy is convinced there may be more teeth coming soon, even if it seems a little early.

What are some firsts from this month?

You took your first steps, stood without holding on, and celebrated your first St. Patrick's Day. You also visited Mommy's school for the first time in a long while when Daddy surprised Mommy by bringing you in last week when he got out of work early. You also watched Daddy cut and split wood for the first time.

What are some of your nicknames?

Swiper, Liam Michael (not a nickname but definitely being said quite a bit this month when you are being "naughty"), Peanut, Mr. Man

What are Mommy and Daddy's "Parents of the Year" moments?

With your newfound climbing skills, you have managed to get quite a few bumps and bruises this month. In one weekend, you managed to tumble three times and hit your head in the exact same spot. Mommy and Daddy felt awfully bad, but you recovered quite nicely.

What are we looking forward to in the next month?

We are traveling to Maine for the first time to visit at Gramma and Papa's house to celebrate your firstEaster. This means a 4 hour car trip with Max for the first time. We are also changing you into your big boy car seat this weekend as you are definitely outgrowing your infant seat and we want you nice and comfy for your trip.

You are such a ham for the camera and it really showed this month!

We do say this every month, but this age is so much fun! You are a happy, curious, and special little boy and Mommy and Daddy love you so very much!

About Me

I am a 30-something year old first grade teacher who is navigating the world of infertility with Hubs. We have a Rottweiler named Max who is still a puppy in every way but appearance. We have been married since July 2011 and were lucky enough to bring home our miracle baby, Liam, in May 2013 after our first round of IVF was successful. Thanks for reading!